Desiree Ellis Names 24-Player Banyana Banyana Squad for Madagascar Olympic Qualifiers

• Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis named her 24-player squad for two CAF Olympic qualifier matches against Madagascar at Toyota Stadium
• Key players including Thembi Kgatlana and captain Refiloe Jane were called up, while several others missed out on selection
• South Africa has failed to qualify for the last two Olympic Games, making the October fixtures critical for the national women's side

SOUTH AFRICA — Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has announced a 24-player squad to face Madagascar in back-to-back CAF Women's Olympic qualifiers, scheduled for 9 and 13 October 2026 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. Both matches kick off at 18:00.

The squad retains the goalkeeping trio of Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, and Kebotseng Moletsane, all of whom featured during the recent WAFCON tournament. In defence, established figures Bambanani Mbane, Fikile Magama, and Bongeka Gamede hold their places, with Sinegugu Zondi earning a recall after missing the WAFCON selection.

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Ellis brings back key midfielders and attackers

In midfield, captain Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, and Amogelang Motau return to the fold after missing WAFCON. Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, and Sibulele Holweni did not make the cut.

Up front, Ellis has called on her most reliable attacking options. Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia, and Ronnel Donnelly all feature, alongside Siyamthanda Qashani and Bonolo Mokona, who both return after missing the continental tournament. Nthabiseng Majiya does not appear in the final selection.

See the official squad announcement from the official Banyana Banyana X account:

Olympic qualification is a critical target for Banyana Banyana

The fixtures carry considerable weight for South African women's football. Banyana failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games following a defeat to Botswana, and again missed out on the 2024 Paris Olympics after being eliminated by Nigeria. The team last competed at the Olympics in 2016 in Rio.

Pressure on Ellis and her squad has intensified following a quarter-final exit at WAFCON, which cost them automatic qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup. Their route to the global tournament now runs through the upcoming play-offs.

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The wider context adds further expectation. With SAFA entering a new term under re-elected president Danny Jordaan, the federation and supporters alike are looking to Banyana to deliver Olympic qualification for the first time in a decade.

Full Banyana Banyana Squad:

Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Kebotseng Moletsane.

Defenders: Bambanani Mbane, Fikile Magama, Bongeka Gamede, Sinegugu Zondi, Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Lonathemba Mhlongo.

Midfielders: Refiloe Jane (captain), Linda Motlhalo, Amogelang Motau, Kholosa Biyana, Nomvula Kgoale, Sphumelele Shamase.

Forwards: Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia, Ronnel Donnelly, Siyamthanda Qashani, Bonolo Mokona, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Gabriela Salgado.

Women’s football professionalism remains a talking point

Briefly News previously reported that former Banyana Banyana captain Simphiwe Dludlu questioned the level of professionalism available to South African women footballers.

Dludlu described the game as a “glorified hobby”, noting that many players, including national-team footballers, still combine football with employment or studies. She said overseas opportunities can offer a different pathway, particularly for players earning a salary solely from football.

Source: Briefly News